Google to reportedly merge Chrome OS with Android

PanARMENIAN.Net - Alphabet Inc.’s Google plans to fold its Chrome operating system for personal computers into its Android mobile operating system, the Wall Street Journal reports siting sources familiar with the matter.

Google engineers have been working for roughly two years to combine the operating systems and have made progress recently, two of the people said. The company plans to unveil its new, single operating system in 2017, but expects to show off an early version next year, one of the people said.

The move is a long-awaited recognition that the different computing approaches embodied by Android and Chrome are no longer relevant to Google.

Chrome OS was Google’s effort to bring the Web and browser-centric experience to more devices, encouraging users to access all software and apps through its Chrome browser on cheap, stripped-down laptops.

Android was an almost retro approach within the company because it focused on devices that only worked when software and apps were downloaded onto them.

The move is also an attempt by Google to get Android running on as many devices as possible to reach as many people as possible. The operating system runs phones, tablets, watches, TVs and car infotainment systems. Adding laptops could increase Android’s user base considerably. That should help Google woo more outside developers who want to write apps once and have them work on as many gadgets as possible, with little modification.